Thermal unit and device for thermal cycling biological samples, and method for thermal cycling biological samples using such device
Inventors
Ahr, Daniel • Zimmermann, Sara • Klittich, Andreas • Wurster, Andre • Fautz, Michael
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12239991-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a thermal unit for a device for thermal cycling, also referred to as thermocycling, of a plurality of biological samples simultaneously, to such device itself, and also to a method for thermal cycling a plurality of biological samples simultaneously using such device and thermal unit.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a thermocycling system with simultaneous thermal cycling of a plurality of samples using thermoelectric energy converters and an air-cooled heat sink. At least one thermal block includes a thermoelectric energy converter and a heat transfer plate attached to the thermoelectric energy converter for dissipation of thermal energy away from the thermoelectric energy converter. The thermal block is coupled to a cooling structure that includes a heat sink, a guide plate connected to the heat sink, and a duct cover plate connected to the guide plate.
Cooling is performed with intake air and exhaust air that are structurally separated. An air fan mounted to the guide plate provides a stream of intake air towards the heat sink, with the heat sink connected to the heat transfer plate on a first side and exposed to the air fan on a second side opposite the first side. An exhaust air duct formed from a channel between the guide plate and the duct cover plate guides a stream of exhaust air away from the second side of the heat sink.
The system further supports increased throughput for simultaneous thermal cycling using multiple thermal blocks and thermoelectric energy converters under computer feedback control. In these embodiments, multiple thermal blocks are operated with non-overlapping power peaks by timely offset to increase throughput under limited installed power. Device-level implementations include a housing that can include multiple thermal blocks, along with a self-contained replaceable thermal block that includes clamping and calibration via an electronics board and temperature sensors.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a thermal unit for simultaneous thermal cycling of a plurality of samples with a thermoelectric energy converter and heat transfer plate for dissipation, combined with an air-cooled heat sink arrangement that includes ducted intake and exhaust air that are structurally separated. A total of 1 independent claim is identified in the provided claim set.
Thermal unit with thermoelectric energy converter and dissipation plate
A thermal block comprising at least one thermoelectric energy converter and a heat transfer plate attached to the thermoelectric energy converter for dissipation of thermal energy away from the thermoelectric energy converter.
Air-cooled heat sink with intake fan and structurally separated exhaust duct
A cooling structure comprising a heat sink, a guide plate connected to the heat sink, and a duct cover plate connected to the guide plate, at least one air fan mounted to the guide plate, and an exhaust air duct formed from a channel between the guide plate and the duct cover plate, wherein the heat sink is connected to the heat transfer plate on a first side of the heat sink and is exposed to the air fan on a second side of the heat sink, opposite the first side, with the air fan providing a stream of intake air towards the second side of the heat sink, and the exhaust air duct guides a stream of exhaust air away from the second side of the heat sink, with the stream of intake air and the stream of exhaust air being structurally separated from each other.
Overall claim coverage centers on simultaneous thermal cycling using thermoelectric energy converters with a heat transfer plate, combined with an air-cooled heat sink where intake and exhaust air streams are ducted and structurally separated.
Stated Advantages
Enables simultaneous thermal cycling of a plurality of samples.
Increases throughput under limited installed power by operating multiple thermal blocks/TECs with non-overlapping power peaks via timely offset under computer feedback control.
Documented Applications
Thermal cycling for nucleic acid amplification using dPCR consumables (e.g., a device secured within a housing comprising a dPCR consumable configuration).
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